Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Monday conducted a former governor of the state and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, around the Ibadan Circular Road Project, named after him.

The two leaders inspected the 32.2-kilometre East Wing of the project, whose infrastructure component is nearing completion.

The East Wing end connects the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to Badeku Village on the Ibadan-Ile Ife Road.

Recall that Senator Ladoja conceived the idea of the 110-kilometre Ibadan Circular Road Project when he was governor of the state between 2003 and 2007.

Makinde, however, became the executor of the all-important project, which aims to reduce traffic congestion in the Ibadan metropolis as well as boost industrialization in the state.

The governor has explained that the project will be the first motorway in Nigeria, noting that “the Circular Road will be the very first motorway in Nigeria. With the Circular Road, we are redefining the city limit not just for Ibadan but for the majority of the local governments around Ibadan.”

The Makinde administration has promised to complete the first phase of the project, comprising the 32.2 km East Wing and the 36.7 km North-East Wing of the project, from Badeku Village to Akinyele Local Government.

The duo of Governor Makinde and Oba Ladoja were accompanied by the Senior Executive Assistant (General Administration) to the governor, Chief Bayo Lawal, among other dignitaries.